Disclaimer: Just to keep it simple: A. I don't own Power Rangers. B. I just make fun of them; so don't get upset if I mock your favorite. C. Please review. I don't mind constructive criticism. D. Thanks to Writers Guide to the Universe and Power Rangers Central for providing a lot of the information that I need.

If you haven't done so, please read the first hundred and fifty stories in "When Rangers Meet," "More of When Rangers Meet," and "Headquarters Where Rangers Meet."

This is story number forty-two.

Dustin and Carter

By

Eileen (Psycho Tangerine)

Dustin shifted uncomfortably in the yellow plastic chair and checked the clock for what had to be the millionth time. How long did it take to get a doctor in this hospital anyway? He had been sitting in the waiting room since noon and now it was almost midnight.

If he had gotten injured crashing his motorbike or doing a back flip with it, that would've been cool. But no, he had to go and slip on a patch of ice that Shane and Tori had made by combining their elements. He guessed they were still mad at him for allowing his students to practice their burrowing skills by popping up through the bathroom floors. He shifted uncomfortably again. The slide on the wooden floor had resulted in some pretty deep splinters in his butt, and he was not about to ask any of the others to get them out for him. Not with the rumors that were already circling around about him and Hunter, and him and Cam, and him and Shane, and him and CyberCam. Dustin smiled to himself. He did have that date next week with the cyber dude, and he wondered where he could get cyber flowers.

"Oh come on!" complained the only other person waiting. "How long do I have to wait this time?"

Dustin looked to where the other man was sitting. He had already been there when Dustin arrived. "What kind of hospital is this?" asked Dustin. "We're the only patients waiting and it's been forever."

"I checked with the nurse," replied Carter. "She said Dr. Dana would be with me shortly." He loathed that his wife had become so full of herself since getting certified as a doctor that she would only see him in this manner. Luckily, he hadn't been called away to a fire or he'd get put on the bottom of the list when he returned and be made to wait another eight hours.

"Oh," replied Dustin. He got up to relieve the splinters and to check out the vending machine. He decided he'd best buy some chips since he hadn't had any supper. Dustin checked his pockets. Nothing. "Damn, Dude, I've really gotta stop letting Marah have all my cash just because she's cute and can pout until she gets her way." That and the fact that she still had her uncle's PAM and could turn him into a bug if she wanted. Or at least that was what she claimed.

Carter grunted as he flipped through yet another Highlights magazine. He didn't understand why Gallant didn't just brain that stupid Goofus. It was kids like that who ended up as the arsonists of tomorrow.

"He, uh, Dude?" asked Dustin. "Do you think maybe you could lend me some change?"

"Huh?' asked Carter as he looked up from his contemplation on whether the Timbertoes were humans or aliens. "Yeah, sure thing." He reached into his pocket, pulled out some quarters, and dropped them into Dustin's hand.

"Thanks, Dude!" exclaimed Dustin. "I'll pay you back. Promise." He mentally crossed his fingers the same way he did every time he hit one of his fellow former Rangers up for cash for his motorbike repairs or gifts for Marah. Little did he know that Sensei had just arranged for Dustin's pay check for the next three years to get directly deposited into Shane, Tori, and Cam's bank accounts. "So, where should I send it to?" he asked Carter.

"Oh, you can just drop it off here tomorrow," replied Carter dismissively. "Now, where is that damn umbrella?" he mumbled to himself as he studied the Hidden Pictures page.

Dude!" gasped Dustin. "You don't think we'll be stuck here for that long do you?" His butt was really beginning to throb. Besides the sooner it got treated the sooner he could get back at Shane and Tori. He wondered in bear traps in their beds would be a bit too much.

"Huh?" asked Carter as he finally gave up on the Hidden Pictures. "Uh, no, Dr. Dana will be here in a few minutes. She's only allowed to work from midnight to three am. I told her to wait until she could get into a proper medical school in the United States rather than take that online course from Pago Pago."

"Well, that's nice to know," huffed Dustin. "Doesn't this stupid hospital have any other doctors working in the ER?"

"Well…they're all on vacation." Carter answered lamely. He didn't want to mention that they were all out with a highly contagious disease because Dana had mistaken a high fever, rash, and vomiting as a simple case of 'the sniffles.'

Dustin just stared at the other man. "Whoa, Dude, and I thought the hospital in Blue Bay harbor was bad." He just didn't get why they would be so rude to him just because he kept bringing his poor inured bike in to them. Who else was qualified to heal his sick baby?

Carter jumped up as his name was called. "About time! Just for this, I am not going to wear that nurse's outfit this time." He marched into the other room as Dustin stared at his back quizzically.

"Dude!" he called. "Don't be so ashamed to come out of the closet! I won't mind if you want to wear women's clothes. Hey! I even got a guy friend who I think would like to meet…." He paused as the sounds got louder. "Geez, Dude! Why are you begging the doctor to whip you? ….Aaaaaahhhhh!!! She's actually doing it?! What kind of medieval torture place is this? I'll just get Marah to yank out my butt splinters. I'm out of here!" With that, he ran out the door.

Dana peaked out the door as her only patient ran away. "Great job, Dear. I just knew all that yelling would chase him off." With any luck she'd get paid for working in a hospital without actually having to see any patients.

"So, now can you 'see' me, Doc?" asked Carter eagerly as he began putting on the nurse's outfit. "I think I need a full physical, if you know what I mean." He turned around, only to see a sign 'Gone Golfing' hanging on the doorknob. "Damn! Not again! Where is she finding a golf place that is open at midnight?"